Guest Post: Top 10 Do-it-yourself Halloween costumes

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Halloween may be a few months away yet, but it is never too early to start thinking about an outfit if you celebrate the occasion, particularly if you plan to make your own costume. The following guest post is written by freelance writer Serena, showcasing some ideas on DIY-able Halloween costumes:

Top 10 Do-it-yourself Halloween costumes

Halloween costumes can be expensive, regardless of whether they’re being bought for children or adults. In this way, it’s worth thinking of some of the alternatives for buying costumes, which more typically involve making your own using fabric and other materials. It’s possible to have a great Halloween without having to spend a lot of money on costumes, with the added benefit that a uniquely designed costume can make you stand out on the night. When thinking about the kind of DIY Halloween costumes to make, it’s worth looking at some popular inspirations. The following list consequently represents, in no particular order, some ideas for how to approach making your own Halloween costume.

1 - Skeleton Baby

An innovative variation on the human skeleton costume, which involves a black and white, all in one skeleton outfit, this version simply adds a skeletal baby into the stomach of the costume. A great way to make a small
but significant change to a costume without spending much more money on it, and a good idea for expectant mothers.

An impressive approach to adapting an artistic style for your costume, this comic book look relies on a wig and carefully drawn dots and shades to resemble the look of classic Roy Lichtenstein pop art paintings.

While some people may not necessarily find the idea of turning their child into a human spider for the night a good one, it’s a design that can be easily created. Using a black costume and socks, attach the extra legs using looped fishing wire, and attach hooks so that the child can pull and move the legs.

Become a classic feminist icon with this simple to achieve design, which adapts the ‘Rosie the Riveter’ image. A red neckerchief and denim jacket, and the requisite pose shown in the accompanying photo, should make this a straightforward but effective look for Halloween.

Many people choose to dress up as the difficult to find Wally for Halloween, and make the most of the simplicity of the costume. All you need is a striped red and white shirt, a red hat, and some glasses. A few good ideas about where to hide at a party can also be useful for making this outfit complete.

Again, the appeal of this costume idea does come down to how much you’re willing to view your child as a model for your fiendish Halloween ideas. A cardboard ketchup box can be made for wearing as the costume, which can also be made larger for use by adults.

Representing the famous image of Colonel Sanders from KFC, this outfit involves procuring a curly white wig, glasses, a beard, and possibly a KFC bucket, although generic chicken would probably do just as well.

A slightly more specialist costume, but one that can be very effective once people recognize what it is, the Firefox costume takes on the Internet browser mascot using a fox ears and orange shirt, as well as a
blue globe that can be carried around with you during a party.

A useful costume if you want to go as a pair, Mary Poppins and Dick Van Dyke in his chimney sweeper mode is relatively simple to create, especially in the case of the working clothes and brush for Van Dyke. A questionable Cockney accent may or may not be included with this costume.

A good way to take on a popular character without having to go the same route as most other people, a Lego Indiana Jones involves the usual paraphernalia of a hat, leather jacket and a whip, but with a Lego head
thrown in for good measure.

Author BioSerena Grant is a freelance copywriter specializing in the Fashion industry. She would recommend UK company Choice for fashion subjects such as rising brands, different styles of designer clothing and upcoming trends.

Thank you Serena, that was a fun blog post, I'm particularly fond of the Skeleton Baby, Comic Book Character and Lego Indiana Jones. I wonder what could be used to make the Lego head? A bucket?!

10 comments:

So many adorable and cute ideas. We don't celebrate halloween here. i prefer the cute costumes to the gory vampire outfits. The ketchup one is super adorable...i would dress up as Mary poppins too! Have a great weekend Erica...hope all is well with you!